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Employment

The Collaborative on Discovery and Innovation in Employment (CODIE)
Improving Post-School Outcomes for Students with Developmental Disabilities!

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council has awarded a grant to the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities for the implementation of the Collaborative on Discovery and Innovation in Employment (CODIE).

PURPOSE
To build the capacity of school district implementation teams so they may become proficient in facilitating the Discovery process and integrating Discovery into their transition processes.

DISTRICT IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS
Congratulations to the Pasco County School District and Lee County School District Teams who were selected as CODIE's first implementation sites! CODIE staff is supporting these teams through: capacity building, training, technical assistance, coaching, mentoring, and an online learning community.

DISCOVERY
Discovery is a person-centered process where information is gathered about an individual student's interests, strengths, support needs, and skills in environments and activities where they are at their best. It results in an individualized vocational profile and visual resume that focuses on achieving customized employment outcomes The Discovery process is:

• The in-depth study of ONE.
• An alternative to comparative, standardized assessments and evaluations.
• A foundation for customized employment planning.
• A process compatible with the principles of person-centered planning, self determination and informed choice.

CODIE MODEL OUTCOMES

CODIE Implementation Teams

• Discovery facilitators
• Membership in Learning Community
• Knowledge & Leadership role in Discovery and customized employment

CODIE School Districts

• Trained cadre of Discovery facilitators
• Increased customized employment outcomes for students w/DD
• Resource & Training guide

Students

• Increased self advocacy & self-determination
• Individual Profile & Portfolio
• Customized employment plan

Families

• Increased knowledge of Discovery & customized employment

For more information about CODIE contact: Nila Benito benito@usf.edu or Brenda Clark bclark7@usf.edu . Download the CODIE Abstract (PDF)

 

Customized Employment Webinars

For more information, contact Brenda Clark 813-974-2581 or bclark7@usf.edu

“SSA (Eligibility/Benefits/Work Incentives)”

July 21, 2011 90 minutes .

Several million disabled persons receive monthly benefits from the Social Security Disability Programs. Many also utilize Medicare or Medicaid to aid them with their medical expenses. Often persons with disabilities worry that working or attempting to work may make them ineligible for these benefits forever. Social Security recognizing this fear has responded with developing the Ticket to Work Program. The presenters will introduce you to the Social Security Disability Programs, the Work Incentive Provisions and the Ticket to Work Program. Social Security Work Incentives are design to accommodate your needs and circumstances so you can go to work . (Powerpoint)

 

“Self-employment - New Opportunities await”

45 minutes.

Donna Whitfield, United Cerebral Palsy and Debra Noel, FCIC provide information about self-employment through the start-up and implementation phases of a small business and provide the background about why self-employment has emerged as a viable employment option for individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

“Employment Resources for Persons with Disabilities”

January 2011, 38 minutes.

This webinar provides resources especially for Florida job seekers with disabilities, family members and providers who want to learn about the resources available to aid in the job search. Moderator: Debra Noel.

 

“Asset Development Strategies for Persons with Disabilities”

February 2011, 1 hour, 15 minutes.

Michael Roush and Elizabeth Jennings from the National Disability Institute address many of the negative myths that surround the accumulation of assets by individuals with disabilities which are debunked and strategies for improving personal finances are shared. Moderator: Debra Noel.

 

"Achieving Dreams: Discovery & Successful Transition Planning for Individuals with Autism" Nila Benito, FCIC community supports coordinator, provides specific examples and successful strategies that optimize transition outcomes for youth with autism. The Individualized Career Planning Model is an individualized process that includes the Discovery person-centered planning approach. Moderator: Debra Noel Handouts: 20 steps to Discovery, Discovery Survey, HOWI Form, Discovery Brain Blizzard Sample.

 

Downloadable Employment Presentations & Fact Sheets

Discovery: Discovering Your Personal Genius Vocational Profiles

1. Discovery Fact Sheet pdf
2. Discovery Powerpoint Only
3. Discovery Powerpoint with Narration

Everyone Can Work! Customized Employment:

1. Customized Employment Fact Sheet pdf
2. Customized Employment Powepoint Only

The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) is providing leadership in a variety of local and national research, training, and program development efforts. The following staff leaders provide contributions to the field of employment: Tammy Smith and Brenda Clark.

FCIC offers a large array of training and technical assistance in order to build capacity around effective transition and customized employment within the state. The projects described below work directly with job seekers, families, community rehabilitation providers, school districts, and state agencies involved in employment for people with disabilities. The FCIC employment projects have strong collaborations with both the Florida Department of Education/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.